Description
Strawberry Glazed French Crullers are light, airy, and perfectly crisp donut rings made from pâte à choux dough, deep-fried to golden perfection, and finished with a luscious strawberry glaze and optional strawberry sugar sprinkle for an extra burst of flavor and color. This delightful treat combines the delicate texture of traditional French crullers with the bright, fresh taste of strawberry glaze, making it a perfect indulgence for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
French Crullers
- ½ cup Water
- ½ cup Whole Milk
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 1/3 cup Bread Flour
- 4 Large Eggs
- Vegetable or Canola Oil, for frying – enough to fill a deep fryer or deep skillet halfway
Strawberry Glaze
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
- ¼ cup Fresh Strawberries, cut and mashed or pureed
- 3-4 tbsp Whole Milk
Strawberry Sugar (optional)
- ½ cup Freeze Dried Strawberries, processed into fine bits
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
Instructions
- Prepare Parchment Paper: Cut parchment paper into 18 squares measuring 4” x 4”. Optionally, use a glass to trace a circle around 3 to 3 ½ inches in diameter on each square. Set aside.
- Make Dough Base: In a medium saucepan, combine water, whole milk, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Heat over medium-high, stirring until the mixture comes to a rolling boil without overflowing.
- Add Flour: Remove from heat and quickly stir in bread flour vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth and fully combined. Place back on medium-high heat and stir constantly, pressing dough against the pan sides until dough forms a thick, smooth paste that pulls away cleanly from the pan.
- Cool and Beat Dough: Transfer dough to a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for 4-5 minutes until steam dissipates and dough slightly cools.
- Incorporate Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing each before adding the next. Scrape sides of the bowl between additions. Dough is ready when it’s smooth, glossy, thick, and elastic, forming a ‘V’ without breaking when lifted.
- Pipe Crullers: Fit a large piping bag with a large star tip and fill with dough. Lightly spray a baking sheet and place parchment paper squares on it, spray each with baking spray, and pipe a closed ring of dough onto each square, following the traced circle if used.
- Heat Oil: Fill a deep fryer or deep skillet with vegetable or canola oil to about halfway and heat to 370ºF, monitoring temperature with a candy or digital thermometer.
- Fry Crullers: Carefully place 2-3 crullers with paper side up into the hot oil. Fry for about 45 seconds, then remove and discard the paper with tongs. Continue frying each side for 2-3 minutes until medium golden brown and puffy.
- Drain Crullers: Remove crullers with tongs or slotted spoon onto a wire rack lined with paper towels to cool and drain excess oil.
- Prepare Strawberry Glaze: Puree fresh strawberries in a food processor or mash with a spoon. In a bowl, whisk together sifted powdered sugar, pureed strawberries, and 3 tablespoons whole milk, adding extra milk if necessary, until smooth and well blended.
- Glaze and Garnish: When crullers are cool enough to handle, dip them into the strawberry glaze and sprinkle with optional strawberry sugar. Place back on the rack to set.
- Make Strawberry Sugar (Optional): In a food processor, finely process freeze-dried strawberries, then combine with granulated sugar by pulsing briefly. Store in an airtight container for garnish.
- Serve and Store: Enjoy crullers immediately for best texture or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
Notes
- Recommended frying time is about 2-3 minutes per side, aiming for a medium golden brown color and light, puffy texture.
- The total cook time of 24 minutes assumes frying 3 crullers at a time for 4 minutes total (2 minutes per side).
- Frying time may vary depending on the number of crullers fried simultaneously and the actual frying temperature.
- The strawberry sugar garnish adds extra flavor and color but is optional.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cruller
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
